LCPS Academy of Science

Please read the following information and directions carefully before submitting your application. The link for the application form follows the directions.

Mission Statement: The mission of the LCPS Academy of Science is to provide an academic environment where students are encouraged to develop creative scientific endeavors of their own design, while having the opportunity to pursue a rich, well-rounded high school experience.

A student at the Academy of Science will acquire skills:

• to ask sophisticated scientific questions and conduct research and experimentation,

• to explore the interconnections between the sciences, math, and the humanities,

• to read, write, and communicate at a level that is required of university students, and

• to develop perspectives to assess the impact of scientific advancements

on society.

Description of Program: The Academy of Science (AOS) is a magnet program open to all students who are residents of Loudoun County. The cornerstone of science preparation is a ninth/tenth grade integrated science program, which blends the physical sciences of physics, chemistry and earth science into a seamless, inquiry based lab course in preparation for advanced coursework. The goal of the lab program is student designed investigations coupled to an in-depth writing/scoring rubric. In addition, sophomores begin instruction in basic research technique to be followed by two years of research in a topic of their choosing. The Math program offers courses from Algebra and Trigonometry through Multivariable Mathematics. All courses have a heavy component of statistics and modeling and are taught in terms of practical application in order to coincide with the science program

Students attend the AOS on alternating days, taking science, math, and research courses at the Academy and all other subjects at their home school on the opposite day. This schedule enables students to maintain involvement in academic and extra-curricular activities at their home school while participating in a research-based challenging math and science program.

Residency: All applicants to the Academy of Science, must, at the time of application, live with a parent or legal guardian who resides full time in Loudoun County.

Admission Criteria: Applications are reviewed holistically using the following criteria:

·Middle School Transcript and Grade 8 mid-year report card.

·PSAT: The PSAT, a national assessment that measures student’s critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills, is the standardized test required for application to the Academy of Science. The skills measured by the PSAT are consistent with skills necessary for success as a student at the Academy of Science. All applicants must be registered to take this test. Students who are ill of unable to take the PSAT must register to take the SAT on November 2nd or December 1st, and provide an official score report to the AOS office. Registration information and directions for the SAT can be found at http://student.collegeboard.org/. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REGISTRATION FOR THE SAT IS ON THE COLLEGE BOARD WEBSITE, AND IS A SEPARATE PROCESS FROM THE AOS APPLICATION PROCESS. Registration for the PSAT is contained in Part I of the AOS application.

·Writing Sample: Students will be asked to complete a writing sample for on Saturday October 19th, 2013, following the PSAT test administration. Students who were ill or unable to take the Writing Prompt on this date must take a make-up Writing Prompt on Saturday November 9th at 9:00 a.m. Please report to Room 309 at the Academy of Science.

·Successful Completion of Algebra I: Current eighth grade students must successfully complete Algebra I with a grade of B (or better) before the end of the current school year. All ninth grade AOS students are enrolled in AOS Analytical Geometry and Functions with Transformations; students who attend the AOS are expected to accelerate math courses through Geometry.

·Teacher Recommendations: Students will be required to request two recommendations; one from the eighth grade science teacher, and one from the eighth grade math teacher.

·Responses to Application Questions: There are six short response questions in this application packet. Please answer them concisely and completely. Please limit your responses to the space provided. No attachments will be expected.

·Interview: An interview may be requested by the Admission Committee as part of the selection process.

Students enrolled in eighth grade during the 2013-14 academic year who wish to apply to the LCPS Academy of Science must submit a completed application which contains two parts. Both parts of the application must be submitted by the posted deadlines. Only students who complete Part I of the application prior to the September 25, 2013 deadline may submit Part 2 of the application.

Instructions for completing Part I: PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY BEFORE ACCESSING THE APPLICATION.

·Applicants to the LCPS Academy of Science must log into the LCPS webpage at www.lcps.org to register and obtain an account password. Applicants will use this login to access the application. If an applicant is under the age of 13, we suggest that you substitute the parent’s date of birth when prompted in order to obtain a username/password. Once registered, applicants will sign in at www.lcps.org (Click on "SIGN IN" on the dark blue channel at the top of the page), then proceed to the link below to complete the application. You may use the same ID/password for Part I and Part II of the application; if you have lost that ID/password you may register to obtain a new one, and proceed with the process as directed above.

·Part I of the AOS Application for Admission should be completed in one sitting. In addition to identifying information (name, address, email address, phone number) you will be asked to provide the name of your school counselor, and your current mathematics and science teachers.

·Part I serves as your registration for the PSAT. Please follow the instructions for payment for the PSAT test.

·Part I contains only one page. When you have completed your application click on the DONE button to submit your application. After submitting your application you will see a message on the screen confirming our receipt of your application. PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE SCREEN. It is STRONGLY recommended that you print and retain a copy of this screen for your records. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY CONFIRMATION OF YOUR COMPLETION OF PART I OF THE AOS APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION. Please do not call the Academy of Science office to request confirmation of our application.

·PLEASE CLICK HERE to access Part I of the AOS Application, which must be submitted no later than September 25th @ 11:59 p.m. No applications can be accepted after this deadline.